dossier

Walking at Davos

WALKING AT DAVOS - DAY BY DAY

Hotel Meierhof ****, Davos

The Hotel Meierhof is situated in the heart of Davos Dorf. It’s a traditional hotel dating back to 1850, which has been lovingly restored and has all of the modern comforts that you’d expect from an excellent 4 star hotel. There are 75 rooms and Breakaway guests stay in the more spacious comfort rooms, which are normally south facing with balcony. All of the rooms are well equipped with both bath and shower, satellite television, minibar, radio, direct dial telephone with internet connection, safe and hairdryer.

Further details on the hotel website.

Sunday  Arrive in Davos

We meet you at the station and take you to your hotel (5 mins).

Monday  Dischma Valley 7km/4mi/2hr or 13km/8mi/3.5hr

From the tranquil hamlet of Durrboden, framed by the mighty snow-capped Scalettahorn (3086m) and Schwartzhorn (3146m), a rocky trail winds through scarlet daphne to charming Teufi by the river, for lunch on the village restaurant terrace. Homewards through pine forest alive to the chatter of wood pigeon, with ever opening views over Davos nestling under the mighty Weissfluh.

Tuesday   Clavadeler Alp 8km/5mi/2hr or 15km/10mi/4.5hr

A wooded track, bright with angelica and mountain scabious leads to Mt. Jakobshorn - breathtaking views over Davos shadowed by the snowy Graubunden peaks. Then, with Lake Davos’ shimmering blue waters below, you reach today’s best lunch spot, Jakobshorn Gasthaus. Descending to Clavadel - perhaps stop off to taste the spicy mountain cheese before joining the riverside trail back to Davos.

Wednesday   The Serene Sertig Valley  7km/4mi/2.5hr or 17km/11mi/4.5hr

From Mt Rinerhorn cable car , you descend in and out of pine forest to pretty Sertig hamlet, lost in a sea of meadows dotted with perennial cornflower . It’s then on to the dramatic waterfall under Gross Alp – a clash of jagged limestone peaks and white water cascades.  Finally a wooded path follows the meandering River Sertig to Frauenkirch where it’s a short bus ride to Davos.

Thursday  Classic Alps Walk  11km/7mi/3hr or 18km/11mi/5.5hr

Today’s route begins at the Alpinium, home to hundreds of rare Alpine  blooms.  Winding past larch roofed mountain chalets and high meadows dotted with Alpine cows grazing, you reach Stafelalp. Commanding views over the Mittaghorn and Jacobshorn, it’s a great picnic spot. Homewards: you descend through a narrow valley, alive to the crashing River Chummer to Glaris, returning to Davos by bus.

Friday  Walser Villages Walk  10km/6mi/3hr or 18km/11mi/5hr

A mountain path lined with irises and yellow vetchling leads over sparkling mountain streams to Hauder Alp where the cheery farmer sells you fresh milk by the glass! Onwards with panoramas over snow capped Bodmen Alp, you descend to delightful Monstein with its two gasthaus and medieval brewery. After lunch, you dip into oak forest, with lapwings flitting through the dappled shade, to descend to Jenisberg for an exciting mountain railway ride (30 mins) back to Davos.

Saturday  Grand Panoramic Trail  8km/5mi/2hr or 19km/12mi/6hr

What better way to end the week than with the aptly named Panoramaweg? With Lake Davos shimmering below, you ascend to the tinkle of cowbells to tiny Lake Schoansee. Soon, Klosters frames the horizon as you climb to Gotschnagrat for the most panoramic lunch yet! Returning, you pick your way through edelweiss and gentian and may spot marmots playing on limestone boulders as you descend to Davos for a final 5-course gala dinner .

Sunday  Return home

WALKING DETAILS

This 1 boot and 2 boot holiday follows stony mountain paths and forest trails. Hiking boots are essential.  The 1 boot walks, using bus and cable car, are outlined on the itinerary above.

Note: Some ski lifts/cable cars do not operate in early/late season when alternative walks will be proposed.